Lessons from Korean dramas

There is this Korean Drama shown over KBS channel 115, The Great Merchant. It tracks the life of the main female character from a small girl to becoming a great merchant. Just like the popular drama Da Chang Jin, it describes the determination, perseverance and fortitude of the character. Now I know why Korean Drama is so endearing to the aunties and maybe womenfolk in general. There is inevitably this male character who looms behind the heroine like a shadow, quietly giving all the support and care; and who will inevitably appear in the nick of time when she needs him most. In this particular drama, there were actually 3 guys standing behind her though she was deeply in love with the male lead. What seems to be common and so touching in both these epics is the presence of an everlastingly patient man who waits and stands behind the heroine whilst she matures and grows from strength to strength in her pursuit for her not so conventional dream under extremely difficult circumstances. I have heard that Da Chang Jin was a very popular drama amongst the Middle Eastern womenfolk because it relates to their inner dream to gain more freedom. The dream is further sweetened when backed by a powerful male (maybe not so easy to find even in Singapore not to mention in the Middle East, the backing I meant).

This drama is aired only during weekend evenings which is very bad timing indeed. So I missed many episodes. Last Sunday evening I just managed to catch the last 5 minutes when the male lead was stabbed. Since I will be going out again tonight I download from the web (Korean dialogue without english subtitles) to find out whether he survived. OH NO... how can they write such a script. My tears rolled when the guy died. After all those years of hardship when they overcame obstacles after obstacles together, HE DIED? They were supposed to be finally sharing their years together. How could the script writer be so cruel? Aren't stories and dramas meant to be therapeutic promising better times after steering through sufferings?

Another aspect which I doubt about such drama is whether there are indeed men who will stand by a woman even when their love is unreciprocated. I am sure you must have heard of Paul McCartney's widely known grief over the loss of his first wife and then not too long later about him remarrying. It is the same with Victor Khoo nearer home. However recently, my skepticism is checked when I heard over podcast about how certain people make us feel recharged whilst others are energy vampires. The psychologist encourages us to take notice of who these people are so that we can spend more and less time accordingly, if we wish to be happier. Helping others will also make one feel re-energised. It happened to me going back to school after the holidays. The interaction with and response from the children somehow boost my energy and generates good feelings. So it is quite possible for those supporting male characters in the Korean drama whose love is unrequited to continue supporting the heroine. They may feel good, energised and purposeful supporting someone they love; and may derive satisfaction watching her grow in strength and character.

Anyway the script-writer apparently has more up his sleeves. Towards the end of the episode that I watched, the heroine stepped out one day after a prolonged griefing process and grave illness to greet her friends and employees and continue to be their leader. This perhaps is her final hurdle and her best accomplishment; and probably a great model to many a women that they too can be strong in the absence of a man.